spleenwort

American  

[spleen-wurt, -wawrt] / ˈsplinˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of various temperate and tropical ferns of the genera Asplenium and Diplazium, certain species of which are grown as ornamentals.

---

spleenwort British  

/ ˈspliːnˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of various ferns of the genus Asplenium, esp A. trichomanes, that often grows on walls, having linear or oblong sori on the undersurface of the fronds See also asplenium

---

Etymology

Origin of spleenwort

First recorded in 1570–80; spleen + wort ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spleenwort

Plant maidenhair spleenwort in a container, where you can appreciate its beauty up close.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 18, 2023

It is a hybrid between the walking fern and the ebony spleenwort, as proved by Miss Margaret Slosson, and may be looked for in the immediate vicinity of its parents.

From The Fern Lover's Companion A Guide for the Northeastern States and Canada by Tilton, George Henry

There is a trail to Big and Little Devil's Staircases where two hundred foot cliffs protect narrow canyons filled with maidenhair fern, spleenwort, cinnamon, wild parsley, ginseng and ginger.

From Legends of the Skyline Drive and the Great Valley of Virginia by Northington, Etta Belle Walker

I want to show you a strange sort of spleenwort that I gathered this morning.'

From Born in Exile by Gissing, George

Safe pass'd the Gnome through this fantastic band, A branch of healing spleenwort in his hand.

From The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 1 by Gilfillan, George